The Brother Swap He Deserved

The next day was Milo's birthday.

I walked into the private room—balloons everywhere, streamers, and roses on the floor arranged in a heart.

Yeah. Subtle.

Milo's friends, who usually hovered around me, went dead quiet.

The door suddenly slammed open—

"Milo, I got the diamond rose you wanted! Don't mess this up—give Dorothy a real confession today!"

Silence.

No one said a word.

Heads dropped. Eyes darted between Milo and me, all fake-casual like I wouldn't notice.

So it wasn't a birthday party.

It was his big confession setup for Dorothy.

I hooked my arm through Sean's and let out a light laugh, slicing right through the silence.

"Why's everyone acting weird? Milo's whole future's riding on tonight."

Someone spoke up, awkward as hell.

"Abigail... you're not mad?"

Milo shot him a look that could kill.

I acted like I didn't see it, swallowing the ache as Sean lifted the glass to my lips and I took a sip.

"What would I even be mad about? I'm his future sister-in-law. Of course I care about his love life."

Milo went stiff, then forced a smile.

"You're right. I've liked Dorothy for years. Now I finally get to be with her."

The mood picked back up fast.

When Dorothy said yes, everyone cheered, throwing out jokes.

Without me—the annoying fiancée—he could finally kiss the girl he actually wanted.

At some point, my lashes were already damp. So I got up, heading for the restroom to fix my makeup.

From inside—soft, breathy sounds slipped out.

"Dorothy... I can finally have you for real."

My adopted sister's voice followed, all wounded.

"Milo, every time I see you with Abigail, it hurts. I'm just the adopted daughter. Though she was gone for years, you're still the one engaged to her."

Milo rushed to soothe her. "You're soft, you're sweet. Abigail's covered in scars—I can barely stand looking at her body. Who knows how many guys she's been with? Every time I'm in bed with her... I'm thinking about you."

Dorothy's voice dropped, small, almost whining.

"Even if she doesn't stay amnesiac... I'm fine with just a few days with you."

I let out a silent laugh.

The tears slipped down with it.

Back then, in bed, Milo used to trace the scars I got from being taken—slow, careful—swearing he'd protect me.

And now?

He was using those same scars to tear me down—just to make her feel better.

The sound of lips meeting, breath tangling, drifted out of the restroom again.

It wasn't loud, but it cut straight through me.

I turned to leave and ran right into a solid chest.

Sean.

He looked down at me, brows tight, then wiped the tears off my face, slow and careful.

"Babe... why are you crying?"

His eyes were all concern as he leaned in and kissed me.

The restroom door suddenly swung open.

Milo froze at the sight—my flushed face, locked in a kiss with his brother. His expression darkened fast.

"Sean, what are you doing?"

There was a warning in his voice.

All I felt was a joke.

He was the one who shoved me into someone else's arms—

and now he couldn't handle it.

What was I to him? Some toy he could pass around whenever he felt like it?

Sean let out a low laugh, his hand settling at my waist.

"My fiancée's in a bad mood. I'm taking care of her. You blind or what?"